P&G SEHAT Strengthens Primary Healthcare Access in Brahmaputra River Villages and Islands in Assam Through Boat Clinic

P&G SEHAT, the healthcare-focused Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Procter & Gamble Health Limited (P&G Health) — makers of well-known healthcare brands such as Neurobion, Evion and Livogen — is expanding access to primary healthcare for underserved communities living along the Brahmaputra River in Assam through a specialised boat clinic.

The initiative is currently benefiting more than 20,000 people across 18 peninsular villages and 10 river islands along the Brahmaputra. Launched in 2025, the boat clinic programme provides maternal, child and preventive healthcare services to communities that often face challenges accessing medical facilities due to the region’s terrain and riverine geography. The programme also works closely with local primary health centres (PHCs) to support and improve immunisation coverage.

The mobile clinic is staffed by trained healthcare professionals and is equipped with a six-bed ward, a mini operation theatre, a labour room, diagnostic laboratory and a pharmacy. Since its launch, the initiative has witnessed increasing demand for antenatal care and immunisation services.

Under the programme, all registered pregnant women receive at least three antenatal check-ups, helping strengthen early diagnosis, monitoring and continuity of care. The boat clinic also conducts special health camps and awareness sessions for communities living in these remote areas.

The initiative further engages local community volunteers who help monitor health parameters at the household level, mobilise residents, encourage follow-ups and communicate information about clinic visits. Their participation helps improve healthcare access, service utilisation and treatment compliance.

Speaking about the initiative, Milind Thatte, Managing Director, P&G Health, said,
“The frequent changes in the course of the river Brahmaputra in Assam, and the unique terrain of the surrounding areas, make access to primary healthcare challenging for the local communities. P&G Sehat is continuing to work with its NGO partners to bridge this gap, and provide consistent, reliable and sustained health facilities to people in these underserved communities, through its special Boat Clinic. This is in line with our mission of providing quality healthcare and drive healthcare awareness in underserved communities across India.”

The Boat Clinic model has also demonstrated resilience despite challenges such as changing river courses, seasonal floods and fluctuating water levels of the Brahmaputra River. Medical teams often use a combination of boat clinics, fishing boats and land transport, when required, to ensure the continued delivery of outpatient services, immunisation camps and health awareness programmes even during difficult weather conditions.